Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam may be Bangladesh's new High Commissioner to Delhi

As part of further activating diplomatic relations with India, the government has taken the initiative to appoint current Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam as the next High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Delhi.

Multiple sources in the Foreign Ministry said that a formal letter of consent (Agreemo) has been sought from India regarding his appointment. Dhaka is now awaiting New Delhi's approval.

According to sources, a proposal in this regard was sent last week. Asad Alam Siam will take charge as Foreign Secretary during the interim government on June 20, 2025.

This official has extensive diplomatic experience. He graduated in architecture from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and completed an MBA from the Netherlands. He joined the 15th batch of the BCS Foreign Affairs Cadre in 1995.

In his diplomatic career, he has served in various important positions including Bangladesh's Ambassador to the United States, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the World Bank and IMF, Ambassador to Austria, UN Office in Vienna, and Ambassador to the Philippines.

He has also served as Director General of the European Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief of Protocol, Rector of the Foreign Service Academy, and Mission Inspector.

Diplomatic sources say that Bangladesh-India relations are currently going through a new phase. Although there has been some tension in the relations between the two countries after the recent political changes, efforts are being made to normalize them.

Sources claim that high-level contacts between the two countries are increasing and efforts are being made to rebuild relations in various fields. As part of this, the issue of giving responsibility to an experienced diplomat in Delhi is gaining importance.

Meanwhile, discussions have also started on who will be the new Foreign Secretary when Asad Alam Siam goes to Delhi. Sources said that the name of Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, is being discussed as a possible Foreign Secretary.

Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury joined the foreign service cadre in 1998. He has previously served as Bangladesh's ambassador to Nepal, Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi, and held important positions in the UN mission.